What do you think of when you hear that someone wants to "reform" the Catholic Church? What images come to your mind? In today's context, you are likely thinking of those who wish to make the Church more contemporary; to change some of her rules and practices so that they fit comfortably with the world. When you think, however, about the modern day context of chaotic Church practice, there is another option. When numbers of clergymen and parishes are already doing the very things that people are wanting to see established in the Church (in disobedience to many of the Church's canons and dogmas), the word "reform" might have a different meaning. It may be more accurate to think of "reform" as a movement to get the Church just to do what she is supposed to do.
That is what St. Norbert was known for. His feast day is today and he was known during his lifetime (early 12th century A.D.) as an advocate of Church reform. He was not one who wanted to "change the Church" (as some appear to be attempting today) but rather as one who wanted to "rework" the Church back to her proper "form" (i.e. "reform"). Much of what he preached about and encouraged, before and after he was made a Bishop, was simple dedication to what the Church already said.
It is remarkable that those who seek "reform" today are trying "re -- form" the Church into something different than what she used to be. This kind of direction is better referred to as "deform" than "reform". Thus, today we find there are people who want to "deform" the Church and others who want to "reform" the Church. The attempt of these "deformers" to change what cannot be changed is ultimately futile, but in the short term it can be very destructive. This is especially true in an age where many of the laity have little clear knowledge of the faith, and are very confused by numerous competing ideas. The faithful can be led astray with little effort if they do not know with certainty what the path is supposed to be.
I recall once trying to explain to someone the Catholic Church's views on sexuality. Knowing that many people reject the idea that sex outside of marriage is a grave sin, I wanted to be cautious in approaching the subject. The person I was speaking to was shocked when I mentioned the immorality of fornication. She said, "I didn't think anyone actually believed that, I thought it was a just a silly story to insult Catholics with because they rejected abortion." Consider what she was saying. She acknowledged that the Church declares abortion to be a sin, but did not know that the Church says the same about fornication. Confusion abounds, and the Church needs to be clear about the truth.
This, my dear brethren, is why I speak so often about things that need to change: because the Church needs to be "reformed"; meaning to "regroup" and "form" herself once again the way that she is supposed to be. I am not really asking for anything new in the ultimate sense. I am more like one "crying in the wilderness" for God's people to "prepare the way of the Lord". In that sense, you could call me a reformer. Not that I desire to form the Church into something new, but rather to encourage her willingly to "form" herself rightly and properly.
